Bruce E. Butler

Bruce E. Butler was born on September 19, 1933, to Vernon and Evelyn Butler (McCaskill) in Winnipeg, Canada. He lived there until the age of sixteen, when his parents decided to sell their bakery business and move the family to Colorado.

It was in Colorado that Bruce and his older brother, the late Neil Butler, discovered their love of adventure. They began downhill skiing and racing MGs up and down Pikes Peak—an early glimpse of the adventurous and spirited man Bruce would become. His young life was soon interrupted when he was drafted into the Army to serve during the Korean War.

During his military service, while in Virginia, Bruce met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Matthews, deceased). They married in 1955 and moved to Denver, where Bruce was accepted into the business program at the University of Colorado. In 1956, their daughter Debbie was born. Bruce continued his studies while also being a devoted father, even driving Debbie to daycare while working toward his degree. He graduated in 1960.

That same year, Bruce was recruited by Ford Motor Company and moved to Michigan, where he would build both his career and his family’s future.

Bruce was never afraid of hard work. While working for Ford during the day, he would leave at the end of his shift and continue working late into the night, building his own metal stamping business. He worked two jobs for years while raising his growing family, welcoming three more daughters along the way. Eventually, Bruce became confident enough in his business to leave Ford and devote himself fully to the company he had built from the ground up. Through determination, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit, he became the successful businessman his family was so proud of.

Bruce enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He loved bowling, golfing, and collecting cars, but his true passion was boating. The boat was where Bruce was happiest. He loved entertaining clients and friends, but most of all, he loved having his family aboard. There were countless hours spent fishing, playing, laughing, enjoying a cocktail or two, and, of course, Bruce taking one of his beloved naps. Those memories will remain some of the most treasured moments for the people who loved him.

Bruce’s greatest accomplishment, however, was his family. His memory will be forever treasured by his daughters, Debra (Michael) Thomas, Evelyn Butler, the late Theresa Butler Puninske, and Elaine (Philip) Beaupied.

He was a proud grandfather to Scott Thomas, Paul (Vanessa) Thomas, Christopher Thomas, Robert (Nicole) Thomas, Brian (Catie) Puninske, Kevin (Hannah) Puninske, Amy (Brandon) Speagle, and John Beaupied, and a loving great-grandfather to Cole Thomas, Grant Thomas, Sloane Thomas, and Mera Margaret Speagle.

Bruce leaves behind a lifetime of memories filled with adventure, hard work, laughter, family, and love. He was a man who built a life through determination and perseverance, but his greatest legacy will always be the family he loved so deeply.

Bruce will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family for generations to come.

Services: A visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Glen Eden Memorial Park, 35667 Eight Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48152, in the Main Mausoleum Chapel, beginning at 12:00 p.m.

A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., with interment at 2:30 p.m.